From the vibrant lion and dragon dance festivals to the bustling Tet markets filled with all kinds of banh chung, banh tet, mai and peach blossoms, or the solemn ancestor worship ceremonies. All contribute to creating a Lunar New Year atmosphere in the US that is imbued with Vietnamese identity. Preserving and developing these traditional cultural beauties not only helps the young generation of Vietnamese people always remember their roots but also contributes to enriching the diverse cultural picture of the United States.
1. Lunar New Year is recognized as an official holiday in California
Lunar New Year is recognized as an official holiday of the state of California (Photo source: Collected)
In 2023, a significant milestone occurred when the state of California officially recognized the Lunar New Year as an official holiday. This decision was seen as an important milestone in recognizing the contributions of the Vietnamese community and other Asian communities in American society. California is home to the largest Vietnamese population in the United States, especially in the Little Saigon area (Orange County), where many Vietnamese have settled and developed.
The recognition of Lunar New Year in the United States as an official holiday not only brings pride to the Vietnamese community, but also helps raise awareness of Asian culture in the diverse society of the United States. This is a testament to the development of the Vietnamese community and also an affirmation that Vietnamese culture and traditions are increasingly honored in foreign lands.
2. Traditional beauty preserved in the "Land of the Flag"
Although far away from home, traditional values are still preserved (Photo source: Collected)
Tet Nguyen Dan is an occasion for Vietnamese people all over the world to return to their roots, and in the US, traditional values are also preserved and spread in a valuable way. Although living far from their homeland, the Vietnamese community in the US still maintains the customs and practices of Tet. From ancestor worship, displaying fruit trays, preparing banh chung and banh tet, to giving lucky money, all are familiar activities for every Vietnamese person living abroad during Tet.
Not only stopping at family ceremonies, the Vietnamese community in the US also organizes many large cultural activities to spread and preserve traditional values of the nation. These events not only attract Vietnamese people to participate but are also an opportunity to introduce Vietnamese culture to international friends, helping Americans better understand one of the most important holidays of the Vietnamese people.
3. Lunar New Year activities in the US
Lunar New Year in the US is not only a holiday for the Vietnamese community, but it has also become a cultural event that attracts the attention of many other ethnic groups. In large cities with a large Vietnamese population, Tet is celebrated on a grand and vibrant scale, no less than in Vietnam.
3.1. Celebrating Tet in Little Saigon
Every time Tet comes, the Little Saigon area is extremely busy (Photo source: Collected)
Little Saigon in Orange County, California, is considered the "capital" of Vietnamese people in the United States. Every time Tet comes, this place becomes bustling with activities to celebrate the New Year. The streets are decorated with red lanterns, flags, and apricot and peach blossoms. Shops sell all kinds of products for Tet from candies, jams to Ao Dai and parallel sentences.
In particular, on New Year’s Eve, the Vietnamese community in Little Saigon often gathers at large temples or parks to welcome the moment of transition between the old year and the new year. Traditional rituals such as burning incense and praying for peace for family and loved ones are always maintained and are an indispensable beauty during Tet here.
3.2. Preparation for the days before Tet
Just like Vietnam, Vietnamese people in the US also shop for Tet decorations (Photo source: Collected)
Just like in Vietnam, the Lunar New Year atmosphere in the US also permeates every home of the Vietnamese community in the US. Preparing for Tet is an extremely important activity, showing respect for tradition and wishing for a peaceful and happy new year. From the first days of December, people have begun to be busy with cleaning and decorating their houses.
Peach and apricot trees are brought home, red parallel sentences are hung up, creating a cozy and bright spring atmosphere. In addition, preparing traditional dishes is also an indispensable part. The aroma of banh chung, banh tet, braised pork, and pickled onions blend together, reminding us of the flavors of our hometown. Family members wrap banh chung and cook together, creating warm and memorable moments.
One of the typical features of Vietnamese Tet is Banh Chung and Banh Tet. Even in America, many families still keep the habit of making Banh Chung and Banh Tet themselves or ordering Banh Tet from stores specializing in Vietnamese food. In addition, other dishes such as braised pork and eggs, pickled onions, and Tet jam are also prepared to offer to ancestors and entertain guests.
3.3. Going to Tet market
Tet markets in the US (Photo source: Collected)
Tet markets are one of the indispensable highlights of the Lunar New Year in the US. Traditional markets such as Phuoc Loc Tho in Little Saigon, San Jose Tet market or Tet markets held in big cities with a large Vietnamese population are more bustling and crowded than ever.
Here, one can find everything needed to prepare for a complete Tet, from the blooming apricot and peach blossoms, the lucky red parallel sentences, to the typical cakes, jams, ham, and pickled onions of Tet. The atmosphere at these Tet markets is really no different from the Tet markets in Vietnam. The cheerful laughter and the fragrant aroma of traditional dishes blend together to create a cozy space imbued with Vietnamese identity.
3.4. Celebrating Tet in Chinatown, New York
Vietnamese people also celebrate Tet with the Chinese and other Asian communities (Photo source: Collected)
In New York City, the Vietnamese community also joins in Tet celebrations with the Chinese and other Asian communities in Chinatown. Although not as large as in California, Tet in New York still attracts the attention of many locals and tourists.
Tet celebrations in Chinatown include fireworks, lion and dragon dances, and other Asian-themed performances. Vietnamese people in New York also often hold family parties, worship their ancestors, and visit pagodas on this occasion to preserve the traditional beauty of Vietnamese Tet.
3.5. Participate in the Tet fair at Asia Times Square
Asia Times Square is one of the largest fair venues (Photo source: Collected)
Asia Times Square in Grand Prairie, Texas is one of the largest Lunar New Year fairs in the United States. This fair attracts tens of thousands of participants each year with many fun, shopping and entertainment activities. In addition to booths selling traditional Tet products, the fair also has performances, lion dances and spectacular fireworks. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese people in Texas to meet, exchange and share the traditional Tet atmosphere in a space full of homeland.
Even though overseas is misty, Tet still brings the flavor of home. The yellow apricot blossoms, the red parallel sentences, the green Chung cakes... still shine brightly in the spring in America . These are not only gifts, but also the hearts of the Vietnamese people, the unbroken connection between those who are far away from home and their homeland. Tet Nguyen Dan in America is a living proof of the strong vitality of Vietnamese culture, transcending all borders, time and space.
Source : https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/tet-nguyen-dan-o-my-v15816.aspx
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